Tools for your tote bag.

• Position: Briefs

With the right equipment, every lawmaker can be effective.

Most legislatures have started their sessions, and freshmen and veteran lawmakers alike are busy deliberating, debating and discussing the dilemmas of the day. For some, stress and frustration may be building, while others may feel they lack the necessary tools to be their very best. NCSL is here to help. With these legislative staples in your bag of tricks, you'll not only survive, you'll thrive. You can find most of these items for free on our magazine website. Go to ncsl.org/magazine or email magazinecancsl.org.

Mason's Manual

You have to know the rules before you can play the game. The same is true for lawmaking. Mason's Manual contains all the parliamentary rules and procedures you will ever need to know and use. Be sure to get your own copy.

State Legislatures Magazine

Get inspired, gain some insight. discover a new idea, read a different perspective. Open the magazine of state policy and politics and you'll hear from colleagues from all across the country. It's guaranteed to broaden and deepen your understanding 1 of what it means to be a state legislator.

Media Tips

You can never have too many friends in the media, but you can have too many opinions about how to deal with them. These tried-and-true tips cover what works best, plain and simple.

A Guide to Government Acronyms

Are you filled to the brim with too much alphabet soup to digest? Use this handy guide to decipher what your colleagues are talking about.

NCSL's 50-State Bill Information Service

The ability to search bills from all across the nation can improve your expertise and inform your decision I making in any policy area.

Airline Tickets To Boston

Want more perspectives? Ideas that work? Training that helps...